WEST GOSHEN – The State Champion may have been crowned a week ago, but the ice was filled with pucks, sticks and players for a more lighthearted, fun game at IceLine Saturday.

In the first ever “Hunger Game,” Chesco met Delco for an All-Star Game match-up to help fight the battle to end hunger. All proceeds from game tickets and donations will benefit local food banks in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

“It’s for a good cause,” said Dave Hendricks, co-coach of the Ches-Mont team. “The kids got to chirp back and forth and there was definitely a Chesco versus Delco feel to it. It’s something to give recognition for kids and their talents.”

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In being an All-Star Game, coaches from both the Central and Ches-Mont divisions sent in recommendations for their own players before being picked.

Out of the 16 teams which make up the Ches-Mont division, eight were represented by the 21-player roster.

“It’s an honor for any of these kids to be selected,” Hendricks said. “All these kids come highly recommended from all their coaches and it’s wonderful for them to get recognized for their talents.”

Unionville and W.C. Bayard Rustin were tied with the most representation with five players each.

Not surprising to see was Rustin’s top line of J.R. Barone, Brett Christie and Armen Asdourian not only make the team, but stay together as a line.

“It’s amazing,” Christie said. “It’s always fun to play with my line. It’s so enjoyable to have fun.”

Christie notched the last two goals for the Ches-Mont team, with helpers on the first goal from his linemates.

“It’s always fun, especially playing with Armen and J.R.,” he said.

It ended up being one more chance for Christie to enjoy his line since both Barone and Asdourian are seniors.

“I felt it was just another ending – a happy ending – to two years with me and my line,” he said.

Unfortunately for the Ches-Mont All-Stars, they weren’t able to overcome a late goal with 3:37 left in the third and the Central team capped it off with an empty netter to win 6-4.

“We thought we were better, but obviously it didn’t end up that way,” Christie said. “It was all fun.”

But the more important part was the money raised for the food banks.

The game attracted 124 to the rink and with $5 ticket sales, $620 was raised for the food banks, not counting any donations which may have been made.

With the fun the players had along with the good cause which comes out of it, the “Hunger Game” is something Hendricks hopes will become a tradition.

“There shouldn’t be All-Star Games on Jan. 1, there should be All-Star Games at the end of the year,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about injuries, you don’t have to worry about any of the problems. The only thing you have to worry about is recognizing the kids from their talents.”

About the Author

Candice Monhollan is a 2012 Temple University graduate. She loves to cover sports, especially hockey. She enjoys marching with the Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps and has a love of U.S. military history, which includes reenacting. Reach the author at cmonhollan@dailylocal.com
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